Majoring in Psychology About the Authors Jeffrey L. Helms Dr. Helms is a Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University where he joined the faculty in 2003. Prior academic appointments included teaching not only at the undergraduate level but also at the master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels. His research interests are predominantly in the areas of the scholarship of teaching and attitudes toward individuals who identify as bisexual. Currently, he holds licensure as a psychologist in Georgia and Hawaii and maintains a small private consulting practice. His clinical experience includes work in the community mental health arena, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and multiple forensic environments. He has previously practiced and taught in California and Kentucky. Dr. Helms is a member of the American Psychological Association. Daniel T. Rogers Dr. Rogers is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University where he joined the faculty in 2005. His research interests are in the areas of assess- ment and scale development pertaining to interpersonal functioning, student–teacher alliance, and teaching styles. Currently, he holds licensure as a psychologist in Georgia. He previously practiced and taught in Michigan. His clinical experience includes work across the age spectrum and across levels of impairment, with emphasis on psychological assessment and psychodynamic interventions. Dr. Rogers is a member of the American Psychological Association; the Division for Quantitative and Qualitative Methods; and the Society for Personality Assessment. Majoring in Psychology Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals Second Edition Jeffrey L. Helms Daniel T. Rogers This second edition first published 2015 © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Edition history: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (1e, 2011) Registered Office John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148‐5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley‐blackwell. The right of Jeffrey L. Helms and Daniel T. Rogers to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and authors have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services and neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging‐in‐Publication Data Helms, Jeffrey L. Majoring in psychology : achieving your educational and career goals / Jeffrey L. Helms and Daniel T. Rogers. – Second Edition. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-118-74102-3 (cloth) – ISBN 978-1-118-74103-0 (pbk.) 1. Psychology–Vocational guidance. 2. Psychology–Study and teaching. I. Rogers, Daniel T. II. Title. BF76.H45 2015 150.71′1–dc23 2014044022 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Cover image: © Gregor Schuster / Getty Images Set in 10/13pt Sabon by SPi Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India 1 2015 Brief Table of Contents List of Boxes xviii List of Tables xxi Preface xxii Acknowledgments xxiv About the Website xxvi Part I Majoring in Psychology 1 1 Why Major in Psychology? 3 2 Succeeding in College: Transitions, Strategies, and Resources 15 3 Succeeding in the Psychology Major: Adjustments, Common Difficulties, and Strategies 38 4 Assessing and Developing Career Goals 57 5 Using your Bachelor’s Degree: Preparing for the Job Market 76 6 The Preprofessional Degree: Preparing for Graduate School 102 7 The Preprofessional Degree: Applying to Graduate School 122 Part II The Subfields of Psychology 169 8 Careers in Research: Experimental, Developmental, Social, Cognitive, and Biopsychology 171 9 Careers in Industrial and Organizational Psychology 194 10 Careers in Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology 217 11 Careers in Educational and School Psychology 248 12 Careers in Exercise and Sport Psychology 266 13 Careers in Health Psychology 283 vi s 14 Careers in Neuropsychology 298 nt e 15 Careers in Forensic Psychology 315 nt o 16 Careers in Academe 339 C of 17 Assessing the Career Outlook for the Psychology Major 361 e bl a T Index 371 ef ri B Contents List of Boxes xviii List of Tables xxi Preface xxii Acknowledgments xxiv About the Website xxvi Part I Majoring in Psychology 1 1 Why Major in Psychology? 3 Introduction 3 Valerie 3 Ajay 4 Katrina 4 How to Use this Book 6 Why Major in Psychology? 6 Majoring in Psychology for What Psychology Is 6 Popularity of the Degree 9 A Multipurpose Degree 10 Majoring in Psychology for Reasons Unrelated to Psychology 10 Determining if Psychology is for You 13 Suggested Exercises 13 Suggested Readings by Topic Area 14 References 14 2 Succeeding in College: Transitions, Strategies, and Resources 15 Introduction 15 The Experience of Adjusting to College 17 The Academic Work 18 viii s Students’ Responsibility for their Learning 19 nt e Structure of Courses 20 nt o Interactions with Others 20 C Thinking about One’s Transition Problems 21 Academic Strategies 23 Manage Time Wisely 23 Reading Course Material for Comprehension 24 Being Engaged in the Classroom 25 Performing Well on Assignments 26 Studying Effectively 28 Caring for Yourself 29 Campus Resources 30 Academic Advising 31 Writing Centers 31 Tutoring 31 Disability Support Services 32 Career Development Services 32 Physical and Mental Health 32 Conclusion 33 Suggested Exercises 33 Suggested Readings 34 References 34 3 Succeeding in the Psychology Major: Adjustments, Common Difficulties, and Strategies 38 Introduction 38 The Nature of Academic Work in the Psychology Major 40 What is Psychology? 40 What Students Expect to Learn 41 The Nature of the Academic Work 42 Common Challenges for Psychology Majors 43 Understanding the Scientific Basis of the Field 44 Learning Independently 44 Writing and APA Style 45 Conducting Literature Searches 47 Strategies for Success 49 Planning Courses and Degree Progression 50 Planning Relevant Experiences 50 Utilizing Available Resources 52 Conclusion 54 Suggested Exercises 54